Building construction and panel for use therein



Nov. 16,1937; w. l. LUCIUS 2,099,211

' BUILDING- CONSTRUCTION AND PANEL FOR USE THEREIN Filed Jan. 29, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY-5.

w. l. LUCIUS 2,099,211

BUILDING CONSTRUCT ION 4" PANEL FOR USE THEREIN Nov. 16, 1937.

Filed Jan. 29, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 16, 1937. w, l, Luclus' $099,211

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND PANEL FOR USE THEREIN Filed Jan. 29, 1935 1 :s Shee ts-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. :1937 I UNITED STATE .nmmme coN s s PATENT OFFICE William I. lamina, Rochester, N. Y. Application January. 29, 1935, Serial No. 3,937 10 Claims. (or. laws) This invention relates generally to building construction and panels for use therein, and" more particularly to the construction of metallic ceilings which are attached ;to, or suspended from, the floor structure above, or the side walls of the room. P j

In recent years, it has become general practice in the construction of large office buildings. and

, the like, to suspend a metal ceiling 'below the floor structure.

This invention has as an object, a construction for such suspended metal ceilings by which a minimum number of parts are employed,a nd

, ceiling if desired.

which are of such construction that a great many different designs and combinations can be obtained. a I

The inventionhas as a further object, a construction'and combination of elements whereby different types and designs ,of ceilings may be hadwith a minimum amount of metal employed.

A further object of the invention is a ceiling construction of the type -referred to in which certain sections of the ceiling, referred to ,as supporting sections, aresupported from the floor above, or'by the side walls of the room, and the remaining sections are supported by the support-. ing sections. This feature of the invention is of great importance in that it minimizes the number of attaching means employed and accord-- ingly, minimizes the cost of constructing the sections of the ceiling and particularly of installing the same.

A further object of the invention is that the supported members are detachably secured to the supporting members permitting ready and convenient substitution of channel members of difl'erent designs, orjxthe removalofthe entire The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafterset forth and claimed.

' fore plastering.

In describing a preferredembodiment of this invention, reference is had to the accompany ng. drawings in which like characters designate cor-' responding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view-of the metal ceiling installed, being shown as the suspended type and composed of a plurality of different designs.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, isometric view, partly in section, of a portion of the ceiling including the side moulding and a center beam of modified construction.

Figure 3 is -a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in section, of a portion of the ceiling showing one type of supporting channels and interlocked supported channels. 1 Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of alternate supporting and supported channels extending lengthwise of ;the room, .also' showing a supporting channel extending crosswise of the room andbeing interlocked at one end with a sup porting channel extending lengthwise of the Figure 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a supported channel.v

Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are cross sectional views showing modified forms, and constructions of channels to eii'ect different ceiling designs.

Figures 10 and 11 are cross sectional views of channels showing modified forms of interlocks. Figure 12 is a fragmentary, side elevation of the supported channel shown inFigure 10.

Figure 13'is a partial sectional view of a floor and the ceiling suspended.

The invention consists generally in a ceiling composed of a plurality of panels or channel members arranged with the side flanges extending upwardly, certainof which channels are supported, and the side flanges of said channels having coacting means for detachably interlocking all of the channels into a unitary construction.

In modern building construction, it has been found desirable to use metal ceilings. Frequent- 1y, it is not satisfactory to plaster directly on the floor structure. This necessitates attaching metal been found desirable to have the finished ceiling spaced apart more or less from the floor structure above to provide a space in which electric wiring, plumbing, air conditioning ducts etc., may be installed, and by the same token, it is desirable to have a ceiling whereby portions, or

sections, thereof may be readily and easily removed, and-replaced, for the purpose of changing, or repairing, the wiring, plumbing etc.

Metal ceilings have been found most desirable to meet these requirements. The sections thereof may be readily fabricated at the manu facturing plant into various shapes and designs, and theexposed surface thereof finished, whereby when the metal ceiling is installed, it is complete, and the building, or room, may be occupied immediately.

This invention has to do with a metal ceiling construction which is attached to, or suspended from, the floor above, and which may be installed with the minimum amount of time and effort, and portions of which are readily insertable and removable to permit access to the space between the ceiling and. the floor above, or to effect a change of design of the ceiling. It will be understood that occasionally the finished ceiling is attached to, or suspended from. a roof structure and herein, where the word floor is employed, it is to be understood to mean the supporting surface above the ceiling.

This ceiling consists of a plurality of sheet metal panels or members channel shaped in section, the exposed faces of which may be of various designs and configurations. One or more'edges ofthe'panels may be turned upwardly to form side flanges for the panels or channel members. Certain of the channel members are attached to, or suspended from, the floor above or the adjacent walls, and will hereinafter be referred to as supporting channels 20. The other channel members 2| are supported by the supporting channels 20. The supporting channels 20 are shown in their most simplified form in Figure 3. The side flanges 22 are provided with apertures through which a suitable supporting wire or rod 23 is fixed, and the upper end of which is secured to the floor above. In this type of channel, the side flanges 22-are formed straight, and the side flanges 24 of the channels 2| are provided, or formed, at their outer edges, withmeansfor interlocking with the side flanges 22 of the supporting channels 20. As here shown, Figure 3, the outer edges of the flanges 24 are bent outwardly and slightly downwardly, as at 25, and

the flanges 24 are also formed with recesses or notches 26 spaced complemental with the apertures in the flanges 22 of the supportingchannels 20 to provide clearance for the supporting rods 23 during relative movement of the channels 2|.

In practice, the supporting channels 20 are secured to, or supported from, the floor above by means of the rods 23, as indicated in Figure 13. The rods 23, or their supporting means, are usually secured in the floor structure when the floor is poured, or formed, or the-rods may be subsequently secured to, or in the floor structure, at the time the metal ceiling is installed. The supporting channels 20 are secured in place in spaced apart relationship, and the supported channels 2| are inserted between the support+ ing channels 20 and secured thereto and interlocked therewith by the interlock means 25, the side flanges 24 of the supported channels being pressed upwardly between the outer sides of the flanges 22 of the supporting channels 20-. The supported channels 2| may be removed, if desired; by pushing the supported channel 2| up .20 and then, inserting a screw driver, or similar blade tool, and forcing the flanges of the channels inwardly until the interlock}! clears the edge of flange 22.

Where it. is necessary, or desirable, tohave a.

more rigid construction, as for example in ceilings covering a large space, the supporting channels 20-may be formedgas indicated in Figures 4 to 9, Y11 and 12. In this instance, thes'ide flange 22 is of greater width and is folded over forming an inverted channel, the inner wall of which is' formed by the flange 22, and the outer wall by the flange 32. The outer edge of the flange 32 is folded inwardly to provide a ledge 33. The infolded ledge portion may lie adjacent the flange 32,- as indicated in Figure 4, or it may extend at an angle, as indicated in Figure 6. This formation of the side flanges adds materially to the rigidity of the supporting channel 2|.

In connection with this type of construction, the intermediate or supported channels 2| are provided at intervals on the outer edges of the side flanges with inward projections 34, Figures 4 to 8. These projections are arranged in spaced apart relationship, as indicated in Figure 5. The supported channels 2| are pressed upwardly between the supported channels 20 until the projections 34 snap over the ledges 33. The spacing of the projections 34 from the face of the channels 2| determines the relative location of the faces of the channels. As indicated in Figure 6, the projection 34 is located relatively close to-the face of the channel 2|, with the result that the face of the channel 2| is located in a different is shown in which the outer flange 32 of thesupporting channel 20 is formed with a lengthwise extending rib 36, and the side flanges of the supported channels 2| are provided .with a complemental rib which permits the channels 20, 2|, to be interlocked with snap action.

The supporting channels 20 may be formed with faces of various contours. For example, the supporting channel to the left, Figure 7, is provided with an ornamental face to .represent a beam. The faces of the channel members may be suitably finished, or may be provided with a facing of different materials, such as wood veneer 31, Figure 6; or tiles 39, Figure 8, or provided with other materials having desirable architectural qualities. Or, the channels may be formed of various materials, and the side flanges attached thereto, .or inserted therein, as indicated in Figure 9.

It is to be understood that the channel members may be formed in various lengths and widths.

For various reasons, it is often desirable to have a border member, or finishing panel, extend around the edges of the ceiling adjacent the walls of the room; The border member 40, Figure 2, is formed of sheet metal similar to the channels 20, 2| and is channel shaped in cross section, and is secured to the walls of the room as by screws 4|, with the flanges extending outwardly as indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The outer ends of the supporting channels are supported by the lower flange 42 of the border member 40. Preferably, the border member 40 is formed with the lower flange 42 of appreciably greater length than the upper flange 43. The purpose 'of this construction is to avoid the necessity of havin to cut the intermediate or supportedchannels 2|, it being understood that the supported channels 2| are pre-formed at the factory of various standard lengths and widths, and the elongated lower flange'42 of the border member 40 operates to provide a cover for the outeredges of the intermediate or supported channels ll when the same happen to be of a-length, or width, not

upwardly, a plurality. of intermediate channel suflicient to reach the wall of the room, it being 20, and inthisinstance extending parallel with appreciated that the possible variations in dimensions of'rooms are infinite.

In Figure 1, the central supporting channel 2| is of beam formation, similar to that shown in Figure 7, and is suspended front-the. ceiling by- "rods 23. A plurality of lateraliyextendingspaced apart supporting members 2Q are interlocked-at their inner ends with the beam member 20 and have their outer ends extending into the channel of the border member 40. In this instance, the inner ends of the supporting members 20 are provided with an upwardly extending flange 45,,Figure 4, provided with -the projection I4. The ends 46 of the side flanges 22"are formed at an acute angle relative to the face of the channel member so as to permit clearance ot the flange 32 of the adjacent supporting member 20 when the members are interlocked. In other words, some- 01'- the supporting channels 20 may be in turntentirely,'orpartially, supported by other supporting members.

Referringto that portion of the ceiling to the left Figure 1, a plurality 'ofsupported channels 2| are arranged between the supporting channels the center beam and being interlocked at their ends withthe supporting members 20. As here showms'ome of the supported members 2 I, in the front portion of the ceiling, are provided on their taces with a three panel design, those of the next group a two panel design, and the succeeding groupsone panel. The portion of the ceiling, to the right of the central-beam, Figure 1, has a series of spaced apart supporting-channels 20 extending parallel with the center beam, being interlocked at their ends with the laterally extending supporting channels 20, and a plurality of supported channels 2| areinterlocked between thecentral beam and thejadjacent parallel extending supporting channels 20, and between the a remaining supporting channels 20.

In Figure 2 is shown a modifled type of central x beam consisting of a pair of opposed channel members 5il,"thelower'flanges of which are con nected by theweb M which forms the exposed face of the beam. The "channels .50 are formed to receive the inner ends of; the supporting members 20, the side flange-'22 of whichis formed with a notch-52 to receive the over-turned edge 53 of the upper flange oi the side channels 50.

It is to be understood that in narrow rooms, such as corridors, a border member 40 may be attached to each opposing sidewall, and the supporting channels 20. may extend entirely across the corridor and be supported on their respective ends by the border members 40, omitting the central beam. .Also, the border members 40 may be suspended from the floor structure above. However, in general practice it is easier to secure theborder members directly to the side walls of the room.

..WhatI claim'is:

1. In a ceiling construction of the type described, a plurality of supporting channel mem- -bers arranged with their side flanges extending upwardly and being attached to the floor above, a plurality of'intermediate channel "members. the side flanges of which are provided with. means coacting with the side flanges of the, supporting channel members to interlock said members'to form an integral ceiling. 2 In a ceiling construction of the type described, a plurality of supporting channel members supported with their side flanges extending members entirely supported'by said first mensaid channel members into an integral ceiling.

.4. In a ceiling construction of the type-described comprising a border member attached to opposed walls of the room with a side'flange extending outwardly from the wall, a central channel member extending parallel with said first mentioned border members, and arranged in spaced apart relationship relatively thereto and being attached to the floor above, a plurality of spaced apart channel members extending from the border members to the central channel memberand being supported at their respective ends thereby, a plurality of intermediate channel members detachably supported by said connecting channel members, the face of the border member and the faces of the channel members forming the exposed surface of the ceiling.

5. Ina ceiling construction, the combination of two sets of members, the faces of which constitute the exposed face of the ceiling, the .mem-

'bers of one set being supporting members, the

members of the other set being supported members and being interposed between the support interlocking means by which the members .of the second set are detachably supported by members of the first set.

6. 'In a ceiling structure of the type described, the combination of two sets of members, the facesof-whichconstitute the exposed face of the tioned'ch'annel members, the side flanges of which ing members, the members of both sets having ceiling, the members of one set being supporting membersand including means by which they are suspended from the floor above, the members of the other set being supported members and interposed between the supporting members, the

members of both sets having means for interlocking upon movement of the supported members into a position between the supporting members, said interlocking means being located on the confronting edges of the two sets .of mem-- bers and coacting with a snap catch action.

7. In a ceiling constructionof the type described, channel members having their side flanges extending upwardly and being attached to, the floor structure above and arranged in spaced apart relationship, the upper edges of said side flanges being overturned outwardly and downwardly to form a narrow inverted channel of less depth than the side flange,'and having an inner ledge extending lengthwise of'the channel member, intermediate channel members inserted between said first mentioned channel mem bers and having their side flanges extending into the inverted channel 'on' the side flanges of 'said' first mentioned channel members andbeing pro-.

vided with spaced apart inwardly extending projections locldng over the ledge at the bottom of i the inverted channel, all whereby said first menbers arranged with their. side flanges extending upwardly, said side flanges including means operable to detachably interlock said channel members together, certain of said channel members being sustained at their ends adjacent the side walls of the room, and others of said members being entirely supported by said sustained members.

9. A ceiling construction of the type described comprising a plurality of channel members arranged with their side flanges extending upwardly, and said flanges including means operable to detachably interlock said channel members together, a border member attached to the side wall of the room and being provided with a flange extending outwardly from the wall, certain of-said channel members being attached to the ceiling or floor above, and others of said members being supported by said attached members, and said channel members adjacent said border member overlapping and being supported along one edge by said outwardly extending flange of said border member.

10. In a ceiling construction, of the type described, a plurality of supporting channel members provided with side flanges extending upwardly, members secured each at one end to one of said flanges and at the other end to the floor above and supporting said channel members in spaced apart relationship to the said floor, a plurality of intermediatechannel members entirely supported by said first mentioned channel members, the side flanges of which are provided with means coacting with the side flanges of the supporting channel members to interlock said members to form an integral-ceiling.

. WILLIAM I. LUCIUS. 

